Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston is calling on West Virginians to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26, 2025. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and aims to encourage the disposal of old, unwanted, and unnecessary medications.
“Properly disposing of unneeded prescription drugs can save lives and prevent medication misuse and abuse,” Johnston stated. She emphasized that “every household that participates in Drug Take Back Day makes themselves and their community safer from potential harm and tragedy.”
Take Back Day offers a free, safe, and anonymous method to dispose of prescription drugs at risk of being misused. Over 60 collection sites throughout the Southern District of West Virginia and other parts of the state have been announced. More details, including a collection site locator, can be found at www.DEATakeBack.com.
Various law enforcement and site partners will accept tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. However, they will not accept syringes, sharps, or illicit drugs. Liquid products, like cough syrup, should be in their original container with the cap tightly sealed to prevent leaks.
This marks the 28th National Take Back Day since the DEA initiated this program. In collaboration with local law enforcement, the initiative has removed 9,600 tons of medication from circulation, including 68.77 tons from West Virginia.
A copy of this release is available on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia’s website.